Sena UBT to hold statewide protest today against ‘corruption’ in erstwhile Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government

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Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray will lead the central protest at Shivaji Park, Mumbai. The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) will stage a statewide protest on Monday over alleged corruption in the erstwhile Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government. The Sena (UBT) has called for a protest at 12 noon on Monday outside all district collector offices, while Uddhav Thackeray himself will lead the central protest at Shivaji Park, Mumbai, joined by senior party leaders.

In Mumbai, demonstrations will also be held outside various government offices. In a statement, the Sena (UBT) alleged “large-scale corruption” in the Shinde government, naming former ministers Sanjay Rathod in a Rs 60-crore scam, Dhananjay Munde in a Rs 1,500-crore procurement irregularity, and Manikrao Kokate in oilseed procurement losses. It also accused then deputy CM and present Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of ignoring multiple complaints of graft.

“Instead of safeguarding public money, ministers are busy filling their own coffers,” the statement said, adding that the protest aimed to “expose the corrupt and anti-people policies of the state government” and to alert citizens to “how their money is being looted”.

The agitation also comes in the backdrop of NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar’s claim on Saturday that he was approached before the Assembly polls by two people offering to “guarantee” 160 seats in the state.

Pawar’s remarks followed Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi’s Delhi press conference accusing the Election Commission of “irregularities in the voting process” in various state polls and claiming to present “some evidence” to back his allegations. Pawar called Gandhi’s charges “serious” and demanded a detailed probe. “We want answers from the Election Commission, not the BJP,” he said.

On Sunday, Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut backed Pawar’s disclosure, saying the same individuals had approached Uddhav Thackeray before both the Lok Sabha and Assembly polls.

“I was present when they met Uddhav Thackeray. They first came during the Lok Sabha elections, and again before the Assembly polls. They told us, ‘Give us the 60 to 65 difficult seats, and we will ensure your victory through EVMs.’ We told them clearly that we believe in democracy,” Raut said.

Speaking about the claims of Pawar, Sena UBT leader Aaditya Thackeray said that he doesn’t think that Pawar would be making false claims. Raut added that the offer was rejected both times, during the Lok Sabha campaign when the party was confident of its performance, and later before the Assembly polls. The BJP and its allies have dismissed the allegations as baseless and politically motivated. Opposition parties have demanded an independent, high-level investigation.

https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/sena-ubt-statewide-protest-tomorrow-against-corruption-erstwhile-eknath-shinde-led-maharashtra-government-10181063/

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